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New site bid for Abergavenny tourism centre

THE deputy leader of Monmouthshire council said that everything is being done to secure the future of Abergavenny Tourist Information Centre.

Councillor Bob Greenland, the cabinet member for leisure, said the county council is in talks with the Trustees of the Tithe Barn about moving the service into the building on Monk Street for next year, but warned it is likely to have reduced opening times, which have yet to be specified.

Cllr Greenland said a last-minute decision by the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority (BBNPA), which runs the centre next to the bus station in partnership with the council, to close the centre has left the county council in a difficult position.

Monmouthshire council contributes £35,000 per year towards the service on top of utilities, building repair and maintenance, but is unable to make up the shortfall in funding given a budget gap of £664,000 for next year.

Negotiations are being held with the trustees and the town Council about how the service can continue.

Cllr Greenland said: “We are talking with the Trustees of the Tithe Barn about moving it for this next year, but it does mean some adjustment to the hours we operate.”

“It looks like we have a budget funding gap that needs to be covered. Everything is being done to keep the service open, albeit in a different place and we may have to curtail the hours.”

“The town council and the public have told us clearly that they want a Tourist Information Centre that is public facing and people to people,” he added.

BBNPA confirmed that three posts would be made redundant. A spokeswoman said it is in discussions with Monmouthshire council to secure an alternative option.

Abergavenny Town Council has agreed to contribute £10,000 towards the service in next year’s budget.

The centres in Chepstow and Monmouth will remain as they are for the coming year.

Comments (1)

How the hell is it costing at least £13,400 a WEEK to run a small TIC in Abergavenny. Either there are the best jobs in Gwent at £233k pa each or the Argus has got its figures wrong. Which is most likely do you think? Is it possible that the MCC figure of £35k support funding is correct but the National Park figure of £664k is a total budget shortfall across all services, not just one TIC? Thank god for the minimum wage, if Argus staff were paid what they are worth they would starve.

How the hell is it costing at least £13,400 a WEEK to run a small TIC in Abergavenny. Either there are the best jobs in Gwent at £233k pa each or the Argus has got its figures wrong. Which is most likely do you think? Is it possible that the MCC figure of £35k support funding is correct but the National Park figure of £664k is a total budget shortfall across all services, not just one TIC? Thank god for the minimum wage, if Argus staff were paid what they are worth they would starve.On the inside